Annual General Meeting 2013

The Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association held their AGM/Conference and Awards Ceremony on Saturday 18th May 2013 at The Clare Charity Centre at Saunderton Bucks.

We opened with the AGM –which is the business side of our Association followed by a buffet lunch and a chance to look around the various displays which included: SMART- Drugs, Trading Standards, Fire & Rescue, SmartWater, CrimeStoppers and or course Neighbourhood Watch.

Steph May from Sounds Studio entertained us after lunch and before the Conference with her singing and guitar playing.

Our main guest speaker was Rt. Hon Theresa May – the Home Secretary who gave a talk about Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) and how the government recognised the importance of this large voluntary organisation of NHW Co-ordinators who give their free time, to help the police combat crime within their areas and to bring communities together by keeping everyone informed of what is happening. She also presented on behalf of the TVNHWA the awards to those Co-ordinators who had “gone the extra mile” within their NHW roles.

The Awards were presented to the following Co-ordinators in:-

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

NAOMI ARNOLD MBE - AREA CO-ORDINATOR FOR STOKE POGES IN SOUTH BUCKS LPA

RAY WOODYEAR - AREA CO-ORDINATOR FOR WEST HANNEY VALE OF WHITE HORSE LPA

The other speakers included the new Police & Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld, who spoke about his new role within the Thames Valley region and working closely with the Chief Constable Sara Thornton making sure that the police were answerable to the public in their roles.

Superintendent Barry Halliday from Milton Keynes Unitary spoke on behalf of the Chief Constable Sara Thornton to thank all of us for volunteering our time, energy and passion to support our communities and neighbours to reduce crime.

Jim Maddan the Chair of Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network spoke about what the organisation does to support the 173,000 NHW Co-ordinators across England & Wales.

Simon Hayday – a Detox Worker for Smart spoke about “Putting Drugs First” his experiences if being on the wrong side of the law, but now he gives talks to children and young people and helps in other ways to make people understand that crime does not pay!

Mike Douglas – Director of VISAV spoke about the Neighbourhood Alert System, and how it can help all Co-ordinators with the use of free tools to put their schemes on the map. He said many other forces including Thames valley had now bought into this system and were finding it an excellent tool to use for sending out messages across the entire network.

Just before the end of the Conference Anthony Stansfeld presented a Silver Plaque to Val McPherson the Chair on behalf of all her committee for the work and leadership of all her committee for the work and leadership of the Association. She was so surprised and honoured.

The whole day went extremely well, and everyone seemed to enjoy the event. Please see the photos attached of the Conference.

The questionnaire replies will be added to the website later under the Conference.

Val McPhersonChair of Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association

Previous AGMs

12th May 2012: click here for more information and photos taken at the event.